Page 184 of The Substitute

Had it really been that long? I didn’t mean for it to be.

I push all the anxiety to the back of my mind and close the distance between us pressing my chest into his. “Maybe I just needed a walk.”

His lip pulls and a slight growl parts his lips. “You take care of both of us, and never let us take care of you.” Anger fades from his eyes, turning into something more like concern or sadness.

I can’t take it. I’ve never been able to. It just makes me want to wrap him up in a hug. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“I can’t help it.” His breath fans over my lips and they part instinctively.

“Kiss me.”

He looks around, but we are fully alone, and it’s dark. We are just two anonymous guys here. But he still hesitates, and I get it. I drag him back into the shelter of an alley. Then finally he does, but just barely. Leaving me needing so much more.

I grab the back of his neck and force his mouth to mine, taking what I want. He gives over to the kiss, sliding his tongue over mine. We don’t kiss much. It’s too easy to use each other for a release which involves our mouths in other places. But this is different in more ways. It’s softer than Ambrose usually is with me. His arms slide around me, drawing me to press fully against him, in a wonderful full body hug.

I don’t know how long we stay like that, but I immediately want more when he pulls back. “Come back.”

“I need to tell Tobi you’re okay.”

“Fair.” I take a few slow breaths, calming my dick down. “Let’s head back to my place? I hate half hanging off a bed with you two.”

He nods, finishing the text. “I told him. He’s heading this way.”

We stand there for another minute without saying anything then Ambrose reaches for me.

He puts his hand on my chest, rubbing his thumb over my heart. “It’s okay to not be okay.”

“It’s not that I’m not okay. It’s—” I shake my head, not having words for it.

He cups my cheek like I’ve seen him do so many times for Tobi, giving me a softness he never has before. “You can be where ever you’re at, but I want to be here for you.”

I put my hand over his, fighting a smile. “What is this?”

“What?” he asks, eyes half lidded like he’s about to kiss me.

“You’re so…soft.”

“Fuck you,” he mutters, but doesn’t pull back.

“No, don’t do that. I like it.”

He smiles, and he is so fucking hot.

I can’t help but kiss him. “I am still going to fight you, but I want this side of you, too.” I say into his lips.

“Only if you give me this side of you.”

I scowl, and he kisses me again.

“Let’s go before we leave Tobi waiting out in the cold.” He looks around again, always on high alert so he doesn’t get recognized.

I wish I could take it away from him. We walk for a bit, and I wish I could hold his hand, but our shoulders brushing occasionally is enough—for now.

“Hey, wait…how did you find me?” I hadn’t shared my location with them, and come to think of it, I think my phone is dead.

“Errr…” He’s instantly guilty.

“What the fuck did you do?” I narrow my eyes.